Chapter 4
The reception was a spectacle of obscene wealth. Crystal chandeliers dripped with diamonds, tables groaned under towers of white roses and gold accents, and a live orchestra played softly beneath the domed ceiling of the exclusive ballroom. Champagne flowed like water, and the elite of the city mingled, laughing, networking, and pretending they weren't there to witness the shiny new trophy wife on Silas Voss's arm.
Liora sat beside her husband at the head table, smiling politely as guest after guest offered congratulations. Silas's hand rested on hers-cold and formal. He hadn't looked at her with real heat once all evening.
Then the announcement came.
"And now, the best man will share a dance with the bride."
Kael Draven rose from his seat like a predator unfolding. The room seemed to quiet as he approached, all 6'4" of raw power wrapped in tailored black. His silver-gray eyes locked onto Liora with laser focus, and her pulse skyrocketed.
He extended his large, tattooed hand.
"Mrs. Voss," he said, voice low and smooth, a hint of mockery curling around her new title. "May I?"
Liora's fingers trembled as she placed her hand in his. The moment their skin touched, electricity shot straight between her legs. Silas gave a dismissive nod, already turning to speak with a business associate.
Kael led her onto the dance floor.
The orchestra shifted into a slow, sensual waltz. He pulled her close-closer than appropriate-his big hand settling possessively on the small of her back, fingers splayed wide. The heat of his palm burned through the thin silk of her gown. His other hand engulfed hers, thumb stroking slowly over her wedding ring as if the sight of it offended him.
"You look fucking sinful in white," Kael murmured, lips brushing the shell of her ear as they turned. His voice was velvet and gravel, meant only for her. "Like a virgin sacrifice laid out for slaughter."
Liora's breath hitched. She tried to keep her face neutral for the watching crowd, but her body betrayed her. Her nipples hardened into tight peaks against her gown.
"Kael..." she whispered, a weak warning.
He chuckled darkly, pulling her even tighter until her full breasts brushed his hard chest. His hand slid lower, dangerously close to the curve of her ass.
"I've been watching you all day, Liora. That pretty blush. The way your thighs squeeze together every time our eyes meet." His breath was hot against her neck. "Tell me... is that tight little virgin cunt wet right now? Soaking through your expensive bridal panties because your husband doesn't know how to make it drip?"
A soft, involuntary whimper escaped her throat. She prayed no one else heard it.
Kael spun her slowly, then drew her back in, his muscular thigh pressing briefly between hers. The friction made her dizzy.
"He'll never satisfy you," he continued, voice dropping even lower, filthy and certain. "Silas fucks like a machine-cold, mechanical, and quick. You need to be ruined, baby. Pinned down and fucked so deep you forget your own name. Filled until you're leaking cum for days."
Liora's knees weakened. She gripped his shoulder tighter, feeling the solid muscle beneath his tuxedo. His hand flexed on her back, nails digging in just enough to claim.
"Every man here wants to stare at your tits and ass," Kael growled softly. "But only I'm going to be the one who owns them. Only I'm going to stretch that sweet pussy open and breed it until your belly swells with my child."
Her core clenched hard at his words. Fresh wetness slicked her thighs.
The song began to wind down. Kael pulled back just enough to look into her wide, dazed hazel eyes. His silver gaze was dark with raw hunger.
"Enjoy your wedding night, Mrs. Voss," he whispered, the corner of his mouth lifting in a cruel smirk. "But we both know whose name you'll be moaning before the sun rises."
He released her slowly, his fingers trailing over her hip in one last possessive stroke. Then he walked away, leaving Liora standing on the dance floor-breathless, aching, and dangerously close to ruining her perfect bridal facade.
Silas approached to reclaim her, oblivious.
But Liora's body was already burning for the wrong man.
